NJ gov. spox: Christie 'fine and in charge'

In this May 26, 2011 photograph, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announces in Trenton, N.J., that New Jersey will withdraw from a 10-state regional greenhouse gas reduction program by the end of the year, saying the program is ineffective at combating global warming. Two of New Jersey's most outspoken voices on climate policy will square off on Christie's decision to pull the state from a regional anti-pollution pact by the end of the year. Supporting the pullout will be the head of the state chapter of Americans for Prosperity, a tea party group. On the other side will be the head of New Jersey's Sierra Club, a man Christie said this week is incapable of saying anything nice about anyone. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
— AP

In this May 26, 2011 photograph, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announces in Trenton, N.J., that New Jersey will withdraw from a 10-state regional greenhouse gas reduction program by the end of the year, saying the program is ineffective at combating global warming. Two of New Jersey's most outspoken voices on climate policy will square off on Christie's decision to pull the state from a regional anti-pollution pact by the end of the year. Supporting the pullout will be the head of the state chapter of Americans for Prosperity, a tea party group. On the other side will be the head of New Jersey's Sierra Club, a man Christie said this week is incapable of saying anything nice about anyone. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
/ AP

TRENTON, N.J. 
Blunt-talking Gov. Chris Christie, often mentioned as a Republican presidential candidate, was taken to a hospital Thursday after he had difficulty breathing.

Maria Comella, Christie's deputy chief of staff, told The Associated Press that Christie is "fine and in charge."

The 48-year-old governor was driven to Somerset Medical Center by his state police security detail out of an "abundance of caution," said another spokesman, Michael Drewniak. Drewniak said Christie suffers from asthma and all indications are Christie will be OK.

Close friend and adviser Bill Palatucci said Christie "is fine, getting tests and working from the hospital."

The governor, who took office 18 months ago, has long struggled with his weight, which he said he started putting on after high school when he stopped playing organized sports.

He's tried dozens of diets over the years with varying success.

His weight came up during his 2009 campaign against Democrat incumbent Jon Corzine, who ran an ad accusing Christie of "throwing his weight around" to get out of traffic citations while he was U.S. attorney.

Christie confronted the ads head on, telling Corzine to "man up and say I'm fat."

Christie attended an education conference and a congressional fundraiser in Iowa on Monday, where he told reporters he was not running for president.